TOWIE's Danielle puts ex Lockie on 'trial'

'The Only Way Is Essex' star Danielle Armstrong has put her ex-boyfriend James 'Lockie' Lock on a relationship "trial"

James 'Lockie' Lock has been put on "trial" by ex Danielle Armstrong.

The 'Only Way is Essex' star is determined to win back his former girlfriend - who he split from last July - and is hoping his desire to grow up and settle down can win her over.

He said: "Nothing is set in stone but we both want to make it work. Danielle has put me on a bit of a trial, so it's up to me now to prove how much I love her.

"A lot of the problems we had before were down to the fact my life wasn't going in the direction I wanted.

"I was enjoying being on 'TOWIE' but I wanted something else to focus on, too.

"Over the past few months I feel like I've really grown up and I've taken steps to better myself and I think Danielle appreciates that."

The 28-year-old star insists his new business, Lockie's Kitchen, and less drinking has given him a better focus on what he wants out of life.

He said: "I recently opened by business and I've cut back on drinking so I can concentrate on making something of myself rather than pretending I'm Peter Pan. I'm not getting any younger, it's time to stop messing about."

James admits Danielle blocking his phone number was a real "wake-up call", but the pressure isn't only on him to change.

He added to OK! magazine: "That was another wake-up call, it made me realise how much I wanted her in my life.

"The idea of not being able to communicate with her really bothered me.

"I don't want to rush into things like marriage and children because she sees other people doing that and thinks we should be doing the same."